Eastern Mediterranean

Overflights by Turkish fighters over Greek airspace, a lasting major source of tension between the two nominal allies, may have virtually ceased over the past six months, but this has not lulled Greek officials into believing that Turkey has abandoned its disputing of Greek sovereignty over large parts of the Aegean.

The United Nations' refugee agency said Friday that Cypriot efforts at sea to stop numerous Syrian refugee-laden boats departing Lebanon from reaching the European Union-member island nation mustn't contravene international human rights laws or put passengers at risk.

The European Commission, in partnership with GIZ International Services, has initiated a two-year project aimed at bolstering private sector development within the Turkish-Cypriot community and enhancing Green Line trade, as per a press release.

With a total budget of 4 million euros, the project will be fully financed by the Aid Program for the Turkish-Cypriot community.

Hundreds of Greek Americans and guests gathered along Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in New York to partake in the annual Greek Independence Day Parade, which commemorates the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule.

This year's procession also paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus is entitled to request from the implementing entity - Greece's Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) - an updated report on the cost-benefit analysis regarding the electricity interconnection between Cyprus and Greece as well as the updated business model, Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou has said.

The Turkish Trade Ministry has refuted allegations circulating in certain media outlets and on social media regarding the continuation of exports to Israel despite the newly imposed embargo.

The Foreign Ministry opted for a mild response Wednesday to Turkish allegations that Greece is undermining the climate of relatively good relations, but officials increasingly believe that the Turkish government, partly due to domestic political pressure, may opt, at a time of its own choosing, to return to the period of high tension that prevailed from 2020 to 2023.

Israel's authorities requested the acceleration of procedures for the implementation of the Great Sea Interconnector project (Greece-Cyprus-Israel), in the section of the Cyprus-Israel power linkup.

The director general of the Energy Ministry, representing the government of Israel, stated that this is an important priority of the Israeli government to advance the project.

During the Revolution of ’21 the island, with more than 100 ships, was the terror of the Turkish-Egyptian fleet

Cyprus' Industrial Turnover Index reached 121.1 points in January (base 2021=100), recording an increase of 2.6% compared to January 2023, according to data published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus on Friday.